Built on the former site of the Mimico Correctional Centre, the Toronto South Detention Centre replaces the antiquated Don Jail. The maximum-security, 1,650-bed facility for adult male inmates, the complex accommodates a further 320 short-term inmates. The architectural design turns the traditional incarceration model on its head by focusing on rehabilitation instead of punishment. The socially-conscious complex sets a precedent for higher-quality yet more efficient construction through modular, precast construction. As the first LEED-designed adult correctional facility in Ontario, it is responsible both to the public and the environment by raising the bar on sustainable strategies that result in long-term operational savings. Built in a highly restrictive context, the facility resolved all the project complexities through an integrated team approach and the resulting innovative design.
